Central School parents demand a solution — soon

Central School parents and staff were back in front of the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees Tuesday night asking for a solution — soon.

It’s been three years since Central School faced an emergency evacuation order after an engineering report warned of serious structural damage in case of an earthquake.

At that time, Central students were “temporarily relocated” from their downtown campus to Lincoln School, 1325 Poplar St.

One option put on the table Tuesday — moving Central students to Ray Bjork School — was met by stiff opposition from the Early Childhood Special Ed Preschool program at Ray Bjork, which is also shared with Head Start.

Both Central and Ray Bjork schools deal with the school district’s most vulnerable, at-risk students.

Trustee Sarah Sullivan agreed to head up a task force of board trustees, parents and community members to immediately explore Central School options to bring back to the board.